I've been doing a lot of research (both in the books/online and inside my own self) around the concept of simplifying my life, and the more I learn, the less I need.
Have you ever felt boxed in or cluttered?
I don't mean in the sense of physical clutter either; I'm talking about getting a glimpse of the reality that you'd accumulated a bunch of internal stuff that you hadn't made time to assess in order to shed or discard the parts that no longer fit who you'd become.
2011 has brought with it quite a bit of excitement, newness, and boundary pushing for Kris, our daughters, and me. We've been traveling more than I've ever done; I've been doing more public speaking than I've ever done; I've taken my workshops on the road, hitting up New York, heading to Jamaica next month, and planting some seeds in Chicago, DC, and Costa Rica for 2012. The work I've put in since 2007 have truly started to take root and spread out, and I remain grateful, curious, and motivated. I've taken my work from online to live, and wow--it was high time.
Exciting, right? Of course it is! But with this increased pace has also come the need to pay more attention to my life, my intentions, my motives, and of course, my schedule. I've upped my presence in my own life, "observing the underpinnings of its design", as Sarah Susanka said in her bestselling book, The Not So Big Life, and I've realized that I can do something about this feeling of clutter.
There's a school of thought that asserts a simple concept: Do less, notice more. That one sentence has been feeding my soul like a tall glass of pineapple/mango juice on ice, and I am drinking it in, honey! Indeed, I'm in that space now, and if I'm honest, it's the safest, most profound opportunity I've ever had to truly pay attention to the why and how of my actions.
This blog—my first foray into online exploration, has become a point of clutter. I had refused to let it go for three main reasons:
Reason No. 1: You. I didn't even know that an online community of women/men/parents existed, and in 2007 when I started this blog, I had no idea where it would take me. I've met quite a few of you in person, and even became friends with a handful of you. Letting go of this blog seemed akin to ditching you--our connection, our conversations--and so I hung on, barely engaging, but taking comfort in the fact that the blog was at least still here.
Reason No. 2: Nostalgia. This is the very same reason I have boxes of letters from my high school days, trophies from middle school track and field adventures, and other crap that's just taking up unnecessary physical space. I stayed here because the memories are sweet, but I'm now realizing that ownership of memories is a mindset, and not a blogging platform.
Reason No. 3: Money. Sponsored posts and advertisements on this blog, though not enough to say...buy me a car--have funded trips, gotten me invited to some pretty awesome events, and helped me feel rather official because I can point to it as proof of my been-blogging-forever-dude status.
My new schedule (and frankly, my new priorities) have helped me make a decision that should have been made a long time ago. I'm no longer posting on this blog. It's a hard decision, and even I myself am quite surprised (and a bit confused) about how emotional this is for me, but it is. But I've transitioned, and it makes no sense for me to keep this site on my radar, and not nurture our connection and conversations in any way.
Thank you for paying attention to my journey.
Thank you for sharing your journey with me.
Thank you for making blogging so worthwhile.
Thank you for offering your insight to my life.
Thank you for reminding me how supportive and brilliant people can be. I'm still writing online, and my focus is still about the way Execumamas flow. But it has evolved, just as I have, and it's time for me to embrace that.
You can join me if you'd like; I'd love it, actually.
Here's my other blog: Execumama Life
Here's where you can subscribe to Execumama Life.
Again, THANK YOU for your energy, insight, love, and light.
Be well,
Akilah S. Richards
Transitioned.
***I'll be taking the site down eventually, but It'll be here (static) for now, until I make time to sift through the posts to see what I want to keep.***
9 comments:
Congrats hun. Happy to see you go. While this is truth, it may read to others commenting in other unintentional ways. Ultimately, I'm saying your going, is a reflection of you coming back to your core. I'm happy that you're there and making decisions that "feel" your soul!
Congratulations! I'll be following you over at Execumma Life. Thanks for being such an inspiration! *smiles*
I can't be mad or sad. You are a living example of a purposeful life. Who can begrudge that? I look forward to following your journey toward bigger and better things. For you, I am happy!
Kudos to you! Sometimes you have to let go to move forward and I know your followers will keep following. We are! :-) -Nat
Congratulations,'Kilah! I almost felt like crying. I remember when you started. I didn't even know what a blog was. And I understand about hangin' on to stuff. Nostalgia and sentiment can get a vice grip on you.
You must always live what you teach....transition is grand. One must always honor their conscious. <3
I've never voiced my official congrats. You have so many thangs online that I forgot about this place, lol. The last post I read was Shut up Kid! and I was like YES! Finally, someone who admits to having these moments of tough love. You can't be mommy songbird all.of.the.time.
Anywho.
You know I feel you 100%! It's so hard to grow the balls to walk away from something although you have evolved and are in need of a new space that resonates with you. Your waves will carry me and my bamboo wherever you go!
I've only commented one other time 2-3 years ago when I started my blog; however, I did bookmark your page. As I slowly gain another inch of closure concerning my mom's passing, coerce skeletons out of closets and console the 7 year old I've allowed to make decisions thus far, I decide to click on your link. Being knee deep in transition and "where do I go from here?" translates into my being so excited for you it brings tears to my eyes. If your Farewell post was for no one else, please believe, it was for me. Thank you so much for sharing your boldness. Wishing you peace and blessings.
Damn, damn!
I am SO very happy for you and all of your success Akilah. I checked out your new site a few weeks ago, and I love it--and will be writing about it er'ry chance I get! I'm learning that I and lots of people are very concerned for their well-being as much as they are about their work and wealth.
Find me knocking on the door of your new house.
Always
-Arlice
Growing.
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